The present invention relates to a process for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers comprising: (a) mixing the down and/or feathers with a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside; (b) optionally adding simultaneously or sequentially a solution of a Group 4 metal salt to the mixture of (a); (c) removing excess liquid; and (d) optionally drying the down and/or feathers. Down and/or feathers prepared according to such a process are also disclosed. The invention additionally relates to a down and/or feather washing and/or cleaning composition for rendering the down and/or feathers hydrophobic comprising a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside, optionally a solution of a Group 4 metal salt, and a water-repellent treatment. The invention further relates to a kit for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers and rendering the down and/or feathers water repellent.

A method and an apparatus for forming a down feather sheet is described and wherein a mixture of down feathers and a binder material is fused together by injecting hot air under pressure into the mixture. A plurality of hot air injection needles are caused to penetrate into a layer of the mixture as it is conveyed along a conveyor and to release hot air at a temperature sufficient to cause the binder material to fuse together and to the down causing the down and the binder material to be trapped into the layer. The displacement of the hot air injection mechanism is synchronized to the conveying speed and the projection of the needles into the layer is adjusted to the thickness of the layer being conveyed.

A method and an apparatus for forming a down feather sheet is described and wherein a mixture of down feathers and a binder material is fused together by injecting hot air under pressure into the mixture. A plurality of hot air injection needles are caused to penetrate into a layer of the mixture as it is conveyed along a conveyor and to release hot air at a temperature sufficient to cause the binder material to fuse together and to the down causing the down and the binder material to be trapped into the layer. The displacement of the hot air injection mechanism is synchronized to the conveying speed and the projection of the needles into the layer is adjusted to the thickness of the layer being conveyed.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to materials containing performance-enhancing particles. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the invention is related to mechanically attaching a performance-enhancing particle to various substrates including, but not limited to, natural materials such as cotton, wool, and down.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to materials containing performance-enhancing particles. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the invention is related to mechanically attaching a performance-enhancing particle to various substrates including, but not limited to, natural materials such as cotton, wool, and down.

A composite down feather sheet is comprised of an insulating core of down feathers bound together by a chemical binding agent or binding fibers or combination thereof. The core of down feathers is of substantially constant thickness and defines opposed flat faces to which is bonded a web of stretchable elastic adhesive. The method of fabricating the composite down insulating fabric sheet is also described as well as the method of bonding the composite down insulating fabric sheet to an outer shell fabric and a liner fabric to provide a composite sheet which facilitate the manufacture of down feather insulated fabric articles.

A composite down feather sheet is comprised of an insulating core of down feathers bound together by a chemical binding agent or binding fibers or combination thereof. The core of down feathers is of substantially constant thickness and defines opposed flat faces to which is bonded a web of stretchable elastic adhesive. The method of fabricating the composite down insulating fabric sheet is also described as well as the method of bonding the composite down insulating fabric sheet to an outer shell fabric and a liner fabric to provide a composite sheet which facilitate the manufacture of down feather insulated fabric articles.

A method for preparing a high fluffiness down by multiple treatments with metal salts includes: degreasing a down sample with a degreasing agent; washing the down sample with water; oxidizing the down sample with an oxidizing agent; washing the down sample with water; conducting a first crosslinking treatment with basic zirconium sulfate; washing the down sample with water; conducting a second crosslinking treatment with basic aluminum sulfate; washing the down sample with water; and drying the down sample to obtain the high fluffiness down.

A method for preparing a high fluffiness down by multiple treatments with metal salts includes: degreasing a down sample with a degreasing agent; washing the down sample with water; oxidizing the down sample with an oxidizing agent; washing the down sample with water; conducting a first crosslinking treatment with basic zirconium sulfate; washing the down sample with water; conducting a second crosslinking treatment with basic aluminum sulfate; washing the down sample with water; and drying the down sample to obtain the high fluffiness down.

A semi-metal or other semiconductor material is applied to a portion of a fur, skin, or feather commodity. The material is applied in a liquid, aerosol, or adhesive formulation, such that the material is molecularly adhered to the fur, skin, or feather commodity. The material may also be applied by a laser burning or branding process. The material may be applied prior to a chemical treatment of the fur, skin, or feather commodity.